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This week’s question comes from Stu. He writes: “Alright Marc, got a new one for you. What is a reliable way to tell if your table saw blade is dull? I know if its cutting slower it might be dirty or dull. I know with a chisel the blade should catch your nail or shave the hair off yo...
This week’s question comes from Pat who asks: “Marc, sorry for writing a book here. I am shopping for a blade for my used TS-3650 I just bought and will be buying a Dado blade also. I’m on a budget but good blades and safety are a must. Any light you can shed will be appreciate...
UPDATE: I am happy to report that Tenryu did indeed develop a true full-kerf Gold Medal blade (see my issues with this below) and I’ve been happily using it in my saw for the last year. They are now available as part number GM-25540-2. The easiest way to get one at this point is to head to th...
This week’s question comes from Peter from Charlotte, NC. He writes: “I have purchased a used General International cabinet saw from a professional shop that was going out of business and I have a question regarding its set up. Using an alignment tool that I borrowed from the Charlotte...
This viewer question comes from Jed who asks: “I am trying to make a cutting board with 2 different species of wood. The problem is, when I cut the strips (with the grain) I get chips and the different strips don’t match up perfectly. Do I need a special table saw blade to do this? I am...
This week’s question comes from Gatorbait. He writes: “I value your opinion on tool recommendations. I am very new to bandsaws. I just snagged the 14″ Powermatic (as you know from a previous email) and am looking for a few new blades (only because I heard the ones that come wit...
This week’s question comes from Andreas. He writes: I’m just about finished watching all your podcast episodes on itunes. And there is one thing that caught my attention. If I was storing my block planes the way you do, I would be banned from wood working class back in the days when ...
This article was inspired by a question from Steve. He writes: I have recently embarked on building bookcases and I have run into an issue. I decided to use a cabinet grade birch plywood that I picked up from the hardwood dealer here in Dallas. Everything was fine until I started the cross-cuts...
Every year during Safety Week, I receive lots of stories from woodworkers about close calls as well as major and minor injuries. This year, I actually requested your stories for a little sponsored giveaway. The stories below were selected partly because they teach a significant safety lesson, but a...
Again?!?! Every time Woodworker’s Safety Week rolls around, I can count on at least a few folks saying, “Haven’t we covered everything already?!” Yeah, I’m talking about you Shannon. Ha! Honestly though, it is a valid question. After all, how many times can we talk abo...
This week’s question comes from Ben who writes: I am using craftsman shop tools – Table saw, scroll saws, drill press, planer, ect and I’m finding my cuts are not as perfect as I’d like. How can I get professional cuts w/ unprofessional tools ($ is always an issue) – ...
This week’s question comes from Jeff. He writes: Hey Marc. I’m gearing up for an attempt at a maple and walnut (or mahogany) chess board. Question is, my blade on the 10″ table saw has gone thru a lot of MDF recently and its time to buy a new one. I’m looking to get some...